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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaadu Padhungurome

From Pallikoodam · 2007

Lyricist
Viveka
Singer
Ramjis Esai Mazhalai
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Pallikoodam2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
NaangaWe
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
Chorus
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
NaangaWe
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
Male
Engalai pathi yaaru ingaWho here ever cared
Kavalai patteengaWorried about us?
Male
Egiri kuthikkum vayasai ellamAll this age of jumping and leaping high,
Thirudi puttengaYou stole it all away.
Male
Thimiru pudicha kazhuthaiyaenuCalling us stubborn donkeys,
Kuchiyaala velukkuringaYou beat us with sticks.
Male
Kamaru kattu kanavai ellaamAll our sweet Kamarcut-like dreams,
Kambai kaati viratureengaYou chase away by showing a stick.
Chorus
Thaai paalu vaasam koodaEven the smell of mother's milk
Kaaya villaiyaeHas not dried up yet,
Indha pallikkodamThis school's
Seiyum tholla oya villaiyaeTorture never ceases!
Chorus
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
MurugaaOh Muruga!
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
Chorus
………………………....
Male
Pondati mela ullaLook at the anger towards his wife,
Kobam paaruLook at that anger!
Pasangala thaanIt is the kids
Kuzhappuraaru vaathiyaaruThe teacher confuses!
Male
VeetulaiyumAt home too,
Padida padida endru solliSaying "Study! Study!",
Appa thaanMy father
Naalu saathu saathuraaruBeats me up four times!
Chorus
Puthaga paiya thooki thookiCarrying school bags again and again,
Koonu vizhunthu pochuOur backs got hunched!
Paravai polavae vaazha thaanadaTo live like birds, my friend,
Kaadu pathungiyaachuWe hid in the forest!
Chorus
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
MaamaaUncle!
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
ThaathaaGrandpa!
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
Chorus
Chikku chikku…(3)Chikku chikku... (3)
Whistling :……………………………..(Whistling...)
Chorus
Durrr….rr…Durrr...rr...
Durrrr….rrr……Durrrr...rrr...
Chorus
Engineeru …doctoruEngineer... doctor...
Unga kanavuThat is your dream!
Intha neram vaazhurathuLiving right in this moment
Enga kanavuThat is our dream!
Chorus
Katta maatai vetti puttu"Cut down the stubborn ox
Tholai ellam uringanuAnd skin off its hide,"
Solli puttu povaaruMy father would tell them
Appa thaanAnd walk away!
Chorus
Pallikkooda vagupparaiIs the school classroom
Kasappu kadaiyinnuA butcher shop?
Kathukitta naamaDid we learn lessons
Ingu thappa thaanWrongly here?
Chorus
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
NaangaWe
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
Chorus
HahahahahahaHahahahahaha
Male
ABCD theriyalenaIf we don't know ABCD,
Engalukkenna daWhat does it matter to us?
Amma thaalatulaIn mother's lullaby,
Idhayum thaandiBeyond even all of this,
Neraya chonnadaShe taught us so much!
Male
Namma makkala padichiBy understanding our people,
Kamarasaru manasila ninnaaruKamarajar stays in everyone's hearts!
Aiya thanthai periyarDid revered Thanthai Periyar
M.A padicha ithanai senjaaru..Do all this by getting an M.A. degree?
Male
Anubavakalviya kathu thaangaiyaTeach us experiential education, sir!
Adhu thaan uyir moochiThat is our breath of life!
Male
AiyoOh dear!
Male
Adimai kalviyaiRote colonial education
Padichi padichi thaanBy studying and studying it,
Moolai kozhambi pochiOur brains have become totally confused!
Chorus
Idhukku thaanFor this very reason,
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
AnnaaBrother!
Kaadu padhunguromaeWe are hiding in the forest
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
PattiGrandma!
Odi oliyuromaeWe are running and hiding
Chorus
HahahahhahaaHahahahhahaa
Uvvae ….Uvvae...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kaadu Padhunguromae' from the movie Pallikoodam (2007) expresses the raw frustration and rebellion of school children facing excessive pressure and harsh punishment in the conventional education system. Instead of enjoying their innocent childhood, the children are burdened by high adult expectations of becoming doctors or engineers and are subjected to strict discipline at school and home. Driven to escape this environment, they run away to hide in the forest, seeking natural freedom. The lyrics contrast rigid academic schooling with real-world experiential learning. Referencing legendary leaders like Kamarajar and Thanthai Periyar, the children argue that genuine wisdom and greatness stem from understanding life and society, rather than holding formal degrees. The track serves as a poignant critique of rote learning and calls for compassionate, practical education that respects a child's right to dream and live in the present.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Paravai polavae vaazha thaanada

Compares the children's desire for carefree freedom to the uninhibited flight of birds using the marker 'polavae'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Pallikkooda vagupparai Kasappu kadaiyinnu

Compares the oppressive school classroom directly to a slaughterhouse/butcher shop to highlight corporal punishment.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Kamaru kattu kanavai ellaam

Compares sweet childhood dreams to 'Kamarcut' (a popular traditional jaggery candy).

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kaadu padhunguromae / Odi oliyuromae

Repetition of consonant and vowel sounds at the start of consecutive lines ('Kaadu' / 'Odi').

Did you know?

Trivia

Pallikoodam (2007) was written and directed by Thangar Bachan, featuring music composed by Bharadwaj. The film deeply reflects on school nostalgia, rural education, and the emotional bonds formed in childhood classrooms.

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